WORK TO COMMENCE ON EXPANSION OF SINGAPORE CHANGI"S TERMINAL 2

Work will commence on the expansion and renovation of Singapore Changi's Terminal 2 next month as operator, Changi Airport Group (CAG) strives to make the airport bigger and better to cope with growing demand.

The work marks the beginning of a multi-year expansion project which will increase T2’s handling capacity, as well as to replace facilities and amenities which are nearing the end of their shelf lives.

The revamped Terminal 2 is set to significantly enhance the experience of travellers visiting or stopping over in Singapore.

It will add 15,500sqm to the terminal building and allow Changi to handle an extra five million passengers yearly, raising the gateway's capacity to 90 million passengers per annum when the works are completed around 2024.

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Last refurbished in 2006, the refreshed T2 will sport even more greenery and natural elements at every turn, in keeping with Changi’s signature garden theme in its terminals. 

There will also be space added in the Departure and Arrival Halls, giving more room to airport operations such as check-in and immigration clearance. 

Additional retail and F&B outlets will be introduced in both the public and transit areas, offering wider and refreshed options. At the same time, passenger touchpoints will be enhanced for a smoother and more seamless experience. 

Transformed check-in layout in Departure Hall

According to CAG, the refurbished T2 Departure Hall will feature a spacious common-use central Fast And Seamless Travel (FAST) zone, with more automated check-in kiosks and bag drop machines. 

With this, more passengers will be able to use these self-service options to check-in early. 

Concurrently, the existing rows of check-in counters in the Departure Hall will be transformed to better serve passengers. All in all, the passenger handling capacity in the hall will be increased by as much as 20%.

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To facilitate the expansion works, some airlines operating in T2 will be shifted to alternative check-in rows within the terminal during the course of works.

A duplex F&B concept will be introduced at the north end of T2’s landside leading to Jewel Changi Airport, to provide visitors with a fresh dining experience, while transforming this gateway to Jewel.

Refreshed offerings in Departure Transit Hall

In the Departure Transit Hall, the Orchid Garden, which has provided calm reprieve to many passengers with its elegant orchids since 1997, will be closed to make way for a new garden. 

This new garden will showcase a revolutionary landscape design, incorporating a plethora of new plant species for the enjoyment of passengers when it re-opens.

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To cater for more retail and F&B offerings for passengers, the commercial spaces within the Departure Transit Hall will be increased. In particular, the food street areas along the length of the Departure Transit Hall and overlooking the tarmac will undergo refurbishment. 

Designed to provide passengers with a garden dining experience, this area will incorporate dramatic green walls, hanging plants and soft lighting. More F&B kiosks options will be brought in, along with additional seating and a newly curated tenant mix for an enhanced dining experience.

In addition, the airport insists that all passengers, whether transferring, transiting or departing, can also look forward to refreshed waiting areas with more comfortable seating, relaxation zones and a new play area for children. 

New experiential zones will be introduced at various locations within the Departure Transit Hall to keep passengers entertained during their time at Changi.

Expanded Immigration Halls and more belts for baggage claim

To cater to higher passenger traffic passing through T2, the Departure and Arrival Immigration Halls will be expanded. 

Specifically, the Immigration Halls will be reconfigured to support additional automated immigration lanes. The Immigration Halls will similarly incorporate lush greenery, extending a warm welcome to our passengers.

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To handle a higher volume of bags at T2, two existing baggage belts will be lengthened and another two new belts will be added, bringing the total number of baggage belts to 10.  

The Early Baggage Storage system will also be upgraded from semi-automated to fully-automated, allowing some 2,300 bags to be stored at any time.

Enhanced Arrival Hall experience

In the Arrival Hall, a garden-like lounge will be created, where meeters and greeters can wait comfortably for their friends and families to arrive.

For the dining outlets in the public area of the airport, McDonald’s in the Arrival Hall will close on 31 January 2020, while Starbucks in the Departure Hall will cease operations in April 2020. 

The remaining F&B outlets in T2’s public areas will remain open for passengers and visitors until the later phases of the expansion works. With the refurbishment, a new cluster of F&B kiosks will offer additional quick bites options at the south end of the Arrival Hall.

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Continuing operations amidst expansion works   

Tan Lye Teck, CAG’s executive vice president of airport management, said: “The expansion and renovation works will rejuvenate T2, while the upgrades in the key operating infrastructure such as the baggage handling systems will enhance the terminal’s capacity and efficiency, allowing us to serve more airlines and passengers when the works are completed. 

"T2 will continue to operate and welcome passengers, even as we work to minimise disruption to operations and inconvenience to passengers and visitors.”